Re: Is American Express still using Experian?

Thanks for all the replies!

I have had an Amex Zync since 4/2011 with perfect payment history. Since my last soft pull from Amex was back in November, I am pretty sure my Utilization was relatively high (~40%). My util right now is close to 1%. According to Credit Karma, my TU FAKO is 654 (no idea why so low) and my FICO Scorewatch alert from today says my score is a 715. Credit Sesame (which i believe is EX) showed my FAKO as being 690 but this was earlier in the month before I paid off the $2400 balance on my Barclay so it had a utilization of around 25% across my cards.

I really want to get this card in January but it seems if I apply now, they will use my report details from my soft pull from November and my guess is my score with my util that high was probably around 680ish or so.

Let's say I apply today and they do not approve me. Do I have to wait 60 days before I can re-apply?

Re: Is American Express still using Experian?

Viper786 wrote:

Thanks for all the replies!

I have had an Amex Zync since 4/2011 with perfect payment history. Since my last soft pull from Amex was back in November, I am pretty sure my Utilization was relatively high (~40%). My util right now is close to 1%. According to Credit Karma, my TU FAKO is 654 (no idea why so low) and my FICO Scorewatch alert from today says my score is a 715. Credit Sesame (which i believe is EX) showed my FAKO as being 690 but this was earlier in the month before I paid off the $2400 balance on my Barclay so it had a utilization of around 25% across my cards.

I really want to get this card in January but it seems if I apply now, they will use my report details from my soft pull from November and my guess is my score with my util that high was probably around 680ish or so.

Let's say I apply today and they do not approve me. Do I have to wait 60 days before I can re-apply?

31 days after a denied application; seriously though with Amex's policies of almost always getting a SP for a denial you I'd just take the shot. I did even not expecting to be approved and look what it got me

As long as you don't have a hard limit Zync I don't see where you have anything holding you back, and unlike mine you're actually qualified from the commonly held underwriting perspective. Your report is prettier, your Amex membership is longer established, and your FICO score is significantly higher than mine.

Edit: for established accounts (6+ months I think) Amex traditionally SP's once every two months; wait for a week or two till 1/25ish and make the application would be my recommendation.

Re: Is American Express still using Experian?

Revelate wrote:

31 days after a denied application; seriously though with Amex's policies of almost always getting a SP for a denial you I'd just take the shot. I did even not expecting to be approved and look what it got me

As long as you don't have a hard limit Zync I don't see where you have anything holding you back, and unlike mine you're actually qualified from the commonly held underwriting perspective. Your report is prettier, your Amex membership is longer established, and your FICO score is significantly higher than mine.

Edit: for established accounts (6+ months I think) Amex traditionally SP's once every two months; wait for a week or two till 1/25ish and make the application would be my recommendation.

Thank you for the recommendations. I find it odd that I have never received a targetted offer from American Express considering I've been with them for almost 2 years now.

You mention that Amex traditionally SP's once every 2 months but on my EX report, I had 2 in November and then one in August so based on that, I find it unlikely that they'll do a soft pull this month. But I may also be biased because the urge to apply for this card is getting harder and harder to resist! I might just end up pulling the trigger tonight or tomorrow.

Worst case scenario: I don't get approved, they'll have a newer report with the soft pull from my application and I appy again in February and get it backdated to 2/11 instead of 1/11!

Re: Is American Express still using Experian?

I thought that Amex only uses a Soft if declined for current members and a Hard pull if approved. It says that they pulled my score on the 10th when i was approved.

Once you are approved they will do the HP. A little bit backward but it saves current members from getting a HP for a declined card. I suppose the approval is somewhat conditional on the HP, but I have never heard of anyone being declined after a HP.

It does happen for marginal applications in some cases, much like the multiple pulls. This is pretty darned rare though, <1% even.

FWIW I still think I have one of the most absurd BCP approvals ever until I see my letter from Amex stating I have a much higher EX FICO or similar than I can rationally expect, and EX was the only report pulled, so the double pull is pretty uncommon, and the HP denial is even less common than that.

I guess I'm just lucky. This happened to me on a BCE app in November. i have a gold card. Amx HP'd all 3 CR and denied me. Sucked!

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, along with additional FICO® Score versions. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Score and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.